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The Oxford Summer Eights begin to-day when Trinity, who finished head of the river in 1939, start again in that position.Eights at Oxford are much what they might be expected to be in this first year of peace. They are not so polished, not so strong, as in 1939. But they are lively, there is a fair sprinkling of quite reasonable crews, and in some respects there is more character about the rowing than there was shortly before the war. There is more uniformity, and it is most noticeable that nearly all the crews have tried to revert to the more traditional style of Oxford rowing, rather than copying, somewhat unsuccessfully, what Jesus do on the Cam. This may not make for faster crews in Eights Week, but it should benefit Oxford rowing in the long run.
Trinity start head. Lively but very ragged in the bows, they look strong and, unless they get caught early on the course, have a good chance of retaining their position. R. M. T. Raikes, the new O.U.B.C secretary, is rowing well at seven. They should be safe until next Tuesday or Wednesday, when Oriel or Magdalen may threaten them. St. Edmund Hall are laborious, and likely to be bumped by New College. In fact they are in danger of losing four places. New College are lively and neat but sadly lacking in horse power. R. M. A. Bourne is rowing excellently at six, but thought they should bump St. Edmund Hall they will be hard put to it to escape Oriel and Magdalen.
Oriel have three blues in the stern, and are obviously the most polished crew. But they have weakness further up the boat and seem sluggish. Probably they will be fastest over the second half of the course, and it is there that they are likely to catch New College.
Christ Church are lively but rough. They will probably fall to Magdalen or St. John's but may themselves bump St. Edmund Hall. Balliol are likely to fall to Magdalen, St. John's, and Exeter, and may be further endangered by University College or Corpus if they come up from the second division. Magdalen have considerable potentialities. If they attain their best they are capable of going head, but they will be hard put to it to catch Oriel unless they are quick off the start. St. John's are rough but have great dash and a good hard finish. They should make at least three bumps. Brasenose, Pembroke, and New College II will all have to fight to stay in the first division. In the second division, University College, Corpus, Magdalen II, and Merton seem the most likely bump-makers.
To-day's order of starting is:—[...]
The Oxford summer eights were begun yesterday when 16 bumps were made. Trinity retained their position as head of the river, but Oriel bumped New College to take third place in the first division. The bumps made yesterday were:—[...]
Trinity remained Head of the river after the first day in the Oxford University Summer Eights, rowed at Oxford yesterday. Details:[...]
The summer eights were continued at Oxford yesterday, when 20 bumps were made. Oriel, who had already on the previous day bumped New College to take third place in the first division, yesterday bumped St. Edmund Hall, and are now only one place behind Trinity, who are still head of the river. The bumps made yesterday were:—[...]
In the Oxford summer eights continued yesterday, results were:[...]
There were 19 bumps in the third day's racing of the Oxford summer eights on Saturday, making a total for the three days of 55. Trinity remained head of the river, keeping well clear of Oriel, who are challenging them for that position. The bumps on Saturday were:—[...]
Trinity College, admirably stroked by Major R. Wakeford, V.C., again rowed over at the head of the river yesterday, but they were hard pressed by Oriel, who at one time were only a quarter of a length away. The bumps were:—[...]
Trinity again remained head of the river when the Oxford summer eights were continued yesterday. Nineteen bumps were made during the day. They were:—[...]
Trinity remain Head
The summer eights finished at Oxford yesterday with Trinity head of the river after a week which did not produce many surprises in the first two divisions. Trinity were a convincing and deserving head. Challenged by Oriel on Monday, they escaped and were never again seriously in danger.Oriel were disappointing, very short forward, spongy in their stroke, and they did not fulfil their earlier promise. Magdalen were almost certainly the fastest crew at Oxford. A tendency to sluggishness cost them a bump on the second night, and though they improved during the week's racing, they were not quite fast enough to catch Oriel. New College had quite a good turn of speed, but little power behind it, and finally they lost one place. St. John's deteriorated during the latter stages of practice and ought to have been fast enough to bump St. Edmund Hall, who actually kept away from them quite comfortably last night.
University College came convincingly into the first division with six bumps, and Magdalen II also regained the position they held so long before the war, of the highest second eight and the only second eight in the first division. Corpus and Merton both fulfilled their promise of making bumps. On the whole the week's racing confirmed the previous impression that there was quite a lot of good material on the Isis, promising well for the future.
It is early yet to be sure of Henley prospects for Oxford colleges, but it is likely that examinations will seriously handicap entries. Probably not more than five or six crews will be able to compete. Magdalen will almost certainly be represented, but it is doubtful if they can find a full crew for the Grand as one would wish. St. John's and Christ Church both hope to have crews for the Ladies Plate but Trinity are not expected to be able to produce more than a four, and the same is very likely true of Oriel.
The order of finishing was:—[...]
Yesterday's Bumps Eighteen bumps were made durin the racing yesterday. They were:—[...] Balliol III made a record for the college by making eight bumps.
Trinity remain Head of the River
Oxford summer eights concluded yesterday and Trinity College, who started Head, maintained that position. The Head of the River Crew was stroked by Maj. R. Wakeford, V.C.Altogether 118 bumps were recorded and Balliol III set a record for their college by making eight bumps. Their fourth boat also made five bumps. Other crews to do well were University College and Magdalen II, both of whom made six bumps.
New College II, Worcester, and Merton rerowed in Division II of Summer Eights at Oxford yesterday, when Worcester bumped New College II.